Lately, there has been a lot of buzz about the brand new cloud computing paradigm. Supposedly, through this type of cloud resource, you would get the same performance and user experience levels as with classic systems. Some companies have moved word and spreadsheet processors online, while others plan to allow users to play HD quality games on demand, over the Internet – all striving to move from regular desktop related applications onto the Web.

Cloud computing yields a series of palpable benefits such as a lower TCO for both service providers and their customers, while also attempting to overcome the main concerns of privacy and security advocates in the IT industry.

This white paper aims to compare the older, industry-proven technology used in clustering systems today and the new trend in information technology – cloud computing, and to answer some of the questions revolving around these topics.

Will the Cloud Replace the Cluster?
This is surely the most obvious question of all when it comes down to analyzing the future development of the situation. However, it is one of the most interesting as well, because cloud-type resources are actually served by what is called a decentralized cluster.